Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, the Minister of Local Government has urged local leaders in Gasabo District to embrace teamwork and deliver good services to the people they serve.

The Minister was speaking during the General Assembly of Gasabo district that gathered leaders from village to district level to reflect on their responsibilities and review their plans as well as how they will achieve them. 

The event took place at Dove Hotel on April 29.

Gatabazi also reminded the leaders that they have a prodigious contribution to the country’s economy and people’s well-being, urging them to work with other stakeholders to deliver better services.

"Local governments are in charge of people’s security and they have to partner with other security bodies. Many people are also complaining about slowness and corruption in issuing authorisation for construction and in land services. Leaders should work on solving those problems hence delivering good services,” he said.

He added, "Village leaders should embrace their responsibilities and work with youth, security, women, private sector and Community Health Workers representatives in providing solutions.”

Some of the leaders who attended the general assembly of Gasabo District.

Gatabazi also noted that with the help of stakeholders and the private sector, they will be able to help the poor get capital to start small businesses or jobs to improve their well-being.

He also revealed that the ministry is working on a book for village leaders which will highlight their responsibilities and help them to understand what people they serve need from them, what kind of report they have to give, when do they call for a meeting as well as how they have to chair it.

Pauline Umwali, Executive Administrator of Gasabo District said that the General Assembly was a good platform for leaders to celebrate their achievements but also review what they still need to do to achieve their plans.

"All we have achieved is that we worked together as a team. If there is an activity that needs funds and is not in the district’s budget, our stakeholders come in to support,” she said.

She urged people to team up and contribute to construction of roads in their neighbourhoods since many were constructed in that way, adding that it was planned that some will be constructed by the district this year.

Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, Minister of Local Government speaking during the event

Talking about slowness in delivering construction and land services, she said that Gasabo District has many people who need the service, adding that in case the applicants are many, they work with Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority to tackle the gap and that the authorisation is usually issued in thirty days unless some requirements are not met by the applicant.

During the event, villages that did better work in fighting Covid-19 pandemic received prizes that include laptops and printers.

Callixte Ntazinda, one of the recipients is the leader of Rugando village, Bumbogo Sector.

He said that the prize has boosted his spirit to serve his people well and make changes that will largely contribute to their development and their ability to win more prizes.